The Untouchables - Review

"He pulls a knife; you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of yours to the morgue. That's the Chicago way!" -  A review of The Untouchables. 

I've been really into thrillers recently, and I love a period drama, so when I heard about a period crime drama and gangster thriller, I knew I had to watch it. Released in 1987, The Untouchables is a suspenseful, action filled film all about historical law enforcement Vs organized crime, and I absolutely loved it.

Set in 1930s Chicago during the Prohibition era, the film follows a federal agent named Eliot Ness as he assembles a team to bring down the notorious Al Capone. This is no easy task; police corruption is rife, and his early attempts to put a team together fail. Understanding that he needs a team of men who cannot be bribed or bought, he recruits an experienced beat cop named Jimmy Malone, a marksman named George Stone and a quiet yet ambitious Treasury accountant from Washington named Oscar Wallace. Would the team be able to bring down Capone's empire?

There are some absolutely phenomenal performances in this film. Kevin Costner plays Eliot Ness, coming across as strong willed yet idealistic, and his earnest performance is at the heart of the film. One of my favourite performances comes from Sean Connery, who plays Jim Malone, an incorruptible and seasoned officer who mentors Ness. He's world weary and brings gravitas to the role, earning him a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Andy Garcia plays George Stone, coming across as charismatic and sharp shooting, a brave young Italian-American recruit proving to be highly useful to the team. Oscar Wallace is played by Charles Martin Smith, the IRS accountant assigned to the team, and his performance is timid and understated, perfect for the role.

Al Capone is, of course, played by Robert De Niro. He gained wait and shaved his hairline to capture the look and feel of the notorious mob boss, and his performance is remarkable; ruthless, charismatic, chilling and theatrical, De Niro truly captures the volatile nature of the antagonist. His right-hand man, Frank Nitti, is played by Billy Drago, who is a completely chilling, sociopathic assassin, his performance being another highlight of the film.

I really enjoyed this film. Tense, historical, chilling and compelling, I couldn't stop thinking about it after the credits rolled. If you enjoy historical drama and crime thrillers, you are sure to love this film.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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